Colloidal Ternary Telluride Quantum Dots for Tunable Phase Change Optics in the Visible and Near-Infrared.

A structural change between amorphous and crystalline phase provides a basis for reliable and modular photonic and electronic devices, such as nonvolatile memory, beam steerers, solid-state reflective displays, or mid-IR antennas. In this paper, we leverage the benefits of liquid-based synthesis to access phase-change memory tellurides in the form of colloidally stable quantum dots. We report a library of ternary MGeTe colloids (where M is Sn, Bi, Pb, In, Co, Ag) and then showcase the phase, composition, and size tunability for Sn-Ge-Te quantum dots.

Blood Neurofilament Light in Progressive Multiple Sclerosis: Post Hoc Analysis of 2 Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background And Objectives: To investigate the potential of plasma neurofilament light (pNfL) as a biomarker of disease progression and treatment response in progressive multiple sclerosis (PMS) with and without acute disease activity.

Methods: A post hoc blinded analysis of pNfL levels in 2 placebo-controlled, phase 3 studies in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS; EXPAND) and primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS; INFORMS) using siponimod and fingolimod, respectively, as active compounds was performed. pNfL levels were quantified using a single molecule array (Homebrew Simoa) immunoassay from stored ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) plasma samples of all patients who consented for exploratory biomarker analysis in either study; pNfL levels were divided into high (≥30 pg/mL) and low (<30 pg/mL) at baseline.

Long-term prognostic value of longitudinal measurements of blood neurofilament levels.

Objective: To assess the long-term prognostic value of an integral of longitudinal measurements of plasma neurofilament light chain levels (NfL) over 12 and 24 months vs single neurofilament light chain (NfL) measurements in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and its additional value when combined with clinical and MRI measures.

Methods: This analysis included continuously fingolimod-treated patients with RRMS from the 24-month FTY720 Research Evaluating Effects of Daily Oral therapy in Multiple Sclerosis (FREEDOMS)/12-month Trial Assessing Injectable Interferon vs FTY720 Oral in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (TRANSFORMS) phase 3 trials and their long-term extension, LONGTERMS. Patients were classified into high (≥30 pg/mL, n = 110) and low (<30 pg/mL, n = 164) NfL categories based on the baseline (BL) NfL value or the geometric mean NfL calculated over 12 and 24 months to predict disability-related outcomes and brain volume loss (BVL).

Correction to: Long-Term Effect of Immediate Versus Delayed Fingolimod Treatment in Young Adult Patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: Pooled Analysis from the FREEDOMS/FREEDOMSII Trials.

Figures 1a, 1b and 3 were published incorrectly in the original version. The corrected images are given as follows.

Early initiation of fingolimod reduces the rate of severe relapses over the long term: Post hoc analysis from the FREEDOMS, FREEDOMS II, and TRANSFORMS studies.

Background: Relapse frequency is often correlated with the prognosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). In patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), relapses vary in severity and may affect activities of daily living, require steroid intervention, or hospitalization. Incomplete recovery from relapses results in increasing disability.

Long-Term Effect of Immediate Versus Delayed Fingolimod Treatment in Young Adult Patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: Pooled Analysis from the FREEDOMS/FREEDOMS II Trials.

Introduction: Fingolimod has demonstrated clinical and MRI benefits versus placebo/interferon β-1a in young adults with multiple sclerosis (MS). Here we report the long-term effects of fingolimod 0.5 mg on clinical and MRI outcomes in young adults with MS aged ≤ 30 years followed up for up to 8 years (96 months).

Blood neurofilament light chain as a biomarker of MS disease activity and treatment response.

Objective: To assess the value of blood neurofilament light chain (NfL) as a biomarker of recent, ongoing, and future disease activity and tissue damage and its utility to monitor treatment response in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Methods: We measured NfL in blood samples from 589 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (from phase 3 studies of fingolimod vs placebo, FREEDOMS and interferon [IFN]-β-1a, TRANSFORMS) and 35 healthy controls and compared NfL levels with clinical and MRI-related outcomes.

Results: At baseline, NfL levels (pg/mL) were higher in patients than in healthy controls (30.

Efficacy of acupuncture for the prophylaxis of migraine: a multicentre randomised controlled clinical trial.

Background: Our aim was to assess the efficacy of a part-standardised verum acupuncture procedure, in accordance with the rules of traditional Chinese medicine, compared with that of part-standardised sham acupuncture and standard migraine prophylaxis with beta blockers, calcium-channel blockers, or antiepileptic drugs in the reduction of migraine days 26 weeks after the start of treatment.

Methods: This study was a prospective, randomised, multicentre, double-blind, parallel-group, controlled, clinical trial, undertaken between April 2002 and July 2005. Patients who had two to six migraine attacks per month were randomly assigned verum acupuncture (n=313), sham acupuncture (n=339), or standard therapy (n=308).

Short stent implantation for routine use is feasible in a high proportion of coronary interventions and yields a low restenosis rate.

Stent length predicts restenosis. The feasibility of using a short stent (<10 mm) routinely was investigated in 331 consecutive patients treated for 424 coronary artery lesions. A single short stent provided suitable coverage and achieved a residual stenosis <30%, with or without predilatation, in 252/424 lesions (59.

Risk factors for pediatric tumors of the central nervous system: results from a German population-based case-control study.

Background: From 1993 to 1997 we conducted two population-based case-control studies on childhood cancer and a variety of potential risk factors in Germany. One case group involved children under the age of 15 years having a tumor of the central nervous system (CNS).

Procedure: For both studies, one conducted in the northwestern area of Germany, the other covering the whole of West Germany, incident cases were identified from the nationwide German Childhood Cancer Registry, and controls were randomly selected from complete population registration files.

Risk factors for neuroblastoma at different stages of disease. Results from a population-based case-control study in Germany.

Neuroblastoma is one of the childhood cancers included in two recent population-based case-control studies in West Germany. Altogether, 183 children under the age of 8 with neuroblastoma diagnosed in 1988-1994 and 1785 control children sampled from population registration files participated. Information on potential risk factors was obtained from the children's parents by a self-administered questionnaire and subsequent telephone interview.

High-birth weight and other risk factors for Wilms tumour: results of a population-based case-control study.

Unlabelled: Wilms tumour, or nephroblastoma, is one of the childhood cancers included in two recent population-based case-control studies in West Germany. Altogether, 177 children under the age of 10 years with Wilms tumour diagnosed between 1988 and 1994 and 2006 control children sampled from population registration files participated. Information on potential risk factors was obtained from the parents using a questionnaire and by subsequent telephone interview.

Leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in childhood and exposure to pesticides: results of a register-based case-control study in Germany.

Previous studies have suggested an association between exposure to pesticides and different types of childhood cancer. This paper presents results from a population-based case-control interview study of parents of children less than 15 years of age, which was conducted in the states of West Germany from 1993 to 1997. Cases were 1,184 children with leukemia, 234 with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and 940 with a solid tumor; 2,588 controls were also included.

Risk of childhood leukemia and parental self-reported occupational exposure to chemicals, dusts, and fumes: results from pooled analyses of German population-based case-control studies.

A recent large-scale United States study reported an association between parental exposure to hydrocarbons at work and the risk of childhood leukemia. Parental occupational exposure to different chemicals and industrial dusts or fumes also was assessed in three German case-control studies that were conducted from 1992-1997. The design and methods of exposure assessment were similar for these studies; therefore, they were pooled for this analysis.

Childhood cancer and residential radon exposure - results of a population-based case-control study in Lower Saxony (Germany).

A population-based case-control study on risk factors for childhood malignancies was used to investigate a previously reported association between elevated indoor radon concentrations and childhood cancer, with special regard to leukaemia. The patients were all children suffering from leukaemia and common solid tumours (nephroblastoma, neuroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, central nervous system (CNS) tumours) diagnosed between July 1988 and June 1993 in Lower Saxony (Germany) and aged less than 15 years. Two population-based control groups were matched by age and gender to the leukaemia patients.

Associations between childhood cancer and ionizing radiation: results of a population-based case-control study in Germany.

In order to investigate the associations between sources of exposure to ionizing radiation and childhood cancer in Germany, a matched case-control study including children under the age of 15 years was conducted. Cases were identified from the German Childhood Cancer Registry; controls came from population registration offices. Exposure was assessed via questionnaires and parental interviews.

Association of childhood cancer with factors related to pregnancy and birth.

Background: It has been hypothesized that risk factors of childhood cancers may already operate during the prenatal and neonatal period. Results of previous epidemiological studies have been inconsistent.

Methods: During 1992-1997 a large case-control study on childhood cancers and a variety of potential risk factors was conducted in Germany.

Association of childhood leukaemia with factors related to the immune system.

The childhood peak of common acute lymphoblastic leukaemia has been proposed as being a rare response to delayed exposure to a common infection. In this context, factors related to the child's immune system are of special interest. Information on such factors was obtained in a recent German case-control study comprising more than 1000 children with acute leukaemia.

Activity of O(6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase in relation to p53 status and therapeutic response in ovarian cancer.

The DNA-repair protein O(6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (alkyltransferase; MGMT) is a major determinant of resistance of cells to various alkylating cytostatic drugs. Its expression in tissues is highly variable, indicating complex regulatory mechanisms involved. Transfection-mediated expression of wild-type p53 has been shown to negatively regulate basal promoter activity of MGMT in vitro.

Contribution of c-erbB-2 and topoisomerase IIalpha to chemoresistance in ovarian cancer.

Overexpression of the c-erbB-2 (HER-2/neu) oncogene, which encodes a transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase, has been shown to be associated with poor prognosis in ovarian and breast cancer. Recent studies indicate that c-erbB-2 may also be involved in determining the chemosensitivity of human cancers. In the present study, we examined the role of c-erbB-2 for chemoresistance in ovarian cancer.

An extended study on childhood malignancies in the vicinity of German nuclear power plants.

Objectives: The study was performed to validate exploratory results obtained in a former study on the incidence rates of childhood malignancies in the vicinity of German nuclear power plants and to evaluate the confirmatory results of this previous study.

Methods: Incidence rates near German nuclear installations were compared to rates in control regions based on the German Childhood Cancer Registry.

Results: No exploratory result could be reproduced.

German case control study on childhood leukaemia--basic considerations, methodology and summary of the results.

In order to explore potential risk factors of childhood leukaemia, a case control study was performed including all incident cases from 1992 to 1994. The study was based on the German Childhood Cancer Registry. It was restricted to cases from West Germany and extended retrospectively until 1980 for children who were living in regions covered by a previous incidence study on nuclear installations (21).

Cotinine excretion as a predictor of peak flow variability.

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is suspected to be an important risk factor for bronchial hyperresponsiveness. In order to test the effect of ETS, we measured expiratory flow rates and urine cotinine excretion (UCE) within a narrow time window in two consecutive years. Maternal smoking habits and medical history were ascertained by standardized questionnaires.